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Monday, December 05, 2011

36 patch quilt complete!

I'm soooo excited...I finished my 36 patch quilt this weekend. There is a LOT going on in this one! I think I used 75 different fabrics in all. Wowza! All from the stash. Double wowza!!

If you recall, I made this for the quilt along I hosted this summer here on the blog in celebration of my 36th birthday. You can find the block tutorial here.

I'm very pleased with how it turned out! I was stalled for quite some time trying to figure out the right backing. I wanted to make a 36 patch back, and I started by picking 36 different fabrics from the stash for the back. When I tried to lay them out, things just weren't coming together. A good friend suggested that I use just 2 fabrics from my stash, so it would look like a 36 patch on the back. Of course! That made perfect sense. Thanks Tara! After rummaging around in my stash, this is what I came up with.

I used Jennifer Paganelli dots (LOVE!) and this fun black/white/gray print from Prints Charming. The backing makes me happy! With a 36 patch on the back I realize that I was in great danger of carrying the theme way too far. But I had it in my head to do so and I just couldn't let it go. I'm very glad I stuck with my original vision. Here's a bit of a closer shot.

To quilt it, I used my free motion foot and quilted vertical lines down the center of each row, and added a little circle/loopy thing in each square. It went so smooth and QUICK! After I was done quilting, I couldn't believe it. I used less than 4 bobbins! I almost felt like I cheated. :) I am very pleased with the quilting, though. I'll definitely try something like this again.

For the binding I used Denyse Schmidt tiles fabric. I LOVE this fabric. LOVE. IT. It's a crazy choice, adding more chaos to the already busy quilt...but I like that, actually. Usually I like a darker binding, but this seemed to suit it just fine. Plus, I'm trying to get better at using my favorite fabrics rather than hoarding them. This is one little baby step in the right direction!

The quilt measures 72" square.

If you'd like, you can check out some of the other 36 patch quilts from the quilt along here. Thanks to everyone who joined me for this quilt along...it was a lot of fun! I've got another quilt along idea up my sleeve, just waiting for January. Can't wait!

90 comments:

it looks really fun! my 36-patch blocks are all complete-- yes, all 81 one of them. i haven't had the chance or space to lay them out and piece the top, but that is a goal over winter break. quilting, that's a whole other story.

GASP!!! I'm in love! Adding this to my list! 2012 is going to be all about stash busting for me.....what a great way to start!!Hey, I'm back to quilting (and blogging). It's been forever!! Feel free to stop by and chat! Http://JessicaMauk.blogspot.com - Jessica

It's 36 kinds of wonderful! Love that you counted how many different fabrics you used to make it and especially love that you're using up favourite fabrics. Eep. You're not the only one with a crush on that DS fabric. Makes me drool every time I see it.

Ohmygosh. I LOVE that quilt. And the back? That was a pure stroke of genius Ms. Crazy. You're amazing. Crazy and Amazing!!! I think you should change your name to amazingcrazymom. I even tried it on blogspot. The name's not taken. It's waiting just for YOU!

Now this is my kinda quilt! I remember when you started the QAL: I wanted to hop on, but I have an embarrassingly small stash. This would use up most of it. It does my heart good to see the final product. I cannot find the right word to express the Awesome found in this quilt.

Off the traditional 9 patch is so fun! I love the color arrangement! The simplicity of the quilting is just perfect for this quilt! I am learning machine quilting myself lately! It gets better each time and I watched the tutorial you made awhile ago and it helps! Thanks!

looks great. Mine is all together, just need to piece the back and I have the idea for it. Probably wont happen until January though. What's that you say? Another QAL in January? Oh my, I hope I am ready!

That is so awesome. I love the back too, it's perfect. My blocks are um, still in the cut out stage but they will get done I promise :) I'm so inspired by seeing yours, might sneak off and sew a couple now!!

I love it. Thank you for sharing before Friday. It makes me want to do one too. I didn't have the heart to try over the summer with holidays and all. Love the back. 36 + 1 = Awesome. You have a great friend.

Another Quilt Along in January!! Oh what fun. I will make sure I have some free time, don't start any more new projects and only finish the ones ...Uhmm...some of the ones, I have going.

Fun quilt, so colorful, yet so simple, and the back continues the theme. You've got me inspired to make a birthday celebration quilt - different pattern but using my age in the design.LisaLalexander733 (at) gmail (dot) com

I know you don't need another comment, but hey! I just had to tell you how wonderful your quilt is. I love the 36-patch theme (both front and back) and to know that you made it from your stash must be such a good feeling! Kudos to you!

OH MY GOODNESS! lol, How great that turned out, Congrats:o) I have trouble visualizing things in my head so I end up being paranoid to try different things afraid I won't like and then stop before I ever get finished. Thanks for offering encouragement by way of your posts. Sarah

You and Tara are so clever. I really like the quilting. I just did that kind of loopy line on my Christmas quilt and my loops are fine...FMQ is what it is. The OCD part of me LOVES the regularity of the loop in certain squares. I better get cracking on my 36 so I can start January's with a clean slate--or at least as clean a WIP slate as I can. Heehee!

When you first posted your plans for this quilt along I was only kind of eh on it, but then seeing it come together block by block has totally changed the way I feel. It turned out so awesome! I love how bright and colorful and cheerful it is! I love your plan for the 36 patch on the back and I think the binding is just perfect, no matter how crazy of a choice you think it was. I can't wait to hear about your new quilt along idea!

So, I hate to admit it, but when you started this quilt I wasn't really feeling it. BUT, as you showed your block groupings as they were finished I started seeing a glimpse of the beauty. Now that it's done I totally "get it!" ...I should've never doubted. :)

Awesome quilt! I love Tara's idea for the back too. How cool to have a true reversible quilt. Also love the quilting, with that curlique in each square - nice touch. It's very encouraging to hear how quickly this came together for you. It's fab!

Gorgeous! I love the back too! I have still not quilted mine... My 36th birthday is on Dec.31st and my goal is to have my quilt done before then. I am going to borrow my mom's long arm to quilt it. I just love scrappy quilts!!! Thanks so much for this quilt-along! It was my first and definitely not my last!

It turned out great! I was going to join this one, but figured I should finish the last quilt-along first. Feel free to check it out - http://bluecrabquilting.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-quilt-pillows.html

LOVE IT!!! I participated in the quilt along & can't wait for you to do another... But next time, you need to teach me (us) how in the world do you get your backing to line up with the front like that. AMAZING! I need to learn how to do that.

Lovely post..Moms are so much more powerful than they realize. How they are feeling on a particular day can have significant effects on the entire family. A Mom can and does influence so many things in her environment. And that can affect how she feels, and in turn how the other family members feel.

i'd like to admit right now that i didn't know how this quilt was going to come together. is just wasn't my favorite design or color scheme or pattern. but then i saw the finished quilt up on flickr this week and i was astounded at how fabulous it is all together. way. to. go! i'm impressed with your mad skilz.